Radially Expandable Anchoring Tool Pivoting Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring devices for tools in wellbores have limited radial expansion, making it difficult to anchor small-diameter tools in standard tubing without special grooves and restricting their use in featureless tubing or varying diameters.
Innovation Solution
A radially expandable anchoring tool with pivoting arms that can extend to grip the tubular surface, allowing significant radial expansion from a compact run-in position to a set position, enabling anchoring in larger diameters and minimizing flow restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If slips are used for anchoring, then large forces can be supported, but radial expansion is limited with respect to the tool body
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring device is divided into multiple independent arms that can radially expand from the tool body. Each arm can independently engage with the tubular surface, allowing the device to adapt to various tubular diameters while maintaining force support capability through the distributed arm structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring arms are designed to be movable relative to the tool body, transitioning from a retracted position during insertion to an extended gripping position during anchoring. This dynamic structure enables the device to adapt radially to different tubular sizes while maintaining structural integrity for force support.
2Force
If dogs or arms are used to extend from tool body into groove feature, then large forces can be supported, but special anchoring grooves at specific locations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring arms are designed with gripping surfaces that can engage with various tubular surfaces regardless of whether grooves are present. The arms can adapt to different tubular diameters and surface conditions, making the device universally applicable to both grooved and featureless tubing while maintaining force support capability.
3Reliability
If wireline tools are anchored in tubing, then positioning is achieved, but significant radial expansion of anchoring mechanisms is required
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring arms are nested within the tool body in a retracted state during insertion, minimizing the profile required to pass through tubing. Upon deployment, the arms radially expand from the compact tool body to engage the tubular surface, achieving reliable anchoring without requiring excessive radial space during the running phase.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The tool can be effectively anchored in various diameters, including featureless tubing, with a high expansion ratio, maintaining position and allowing axial forces to be applied, while minimizing flow restrictions and preventing jamming or deformation.
Implementation Method 1
pivoting the pivot arms radially outward to grip the tubular surface
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring tool is presented having radially pivoting arms which are moved from a run-in position to a set position. In the run-in position the un-articulated arms are positioned radially inward to provide a small tool outer diameter. Upon setting, the arms are pivoted radially outward into gripping engagement with a downhole tubular, such as a liner or casing. The pivot arms define a cam surface for interaction with corresponding wedges, where the cam surface allows for greater radial expansion of the arms.